http://www.stpeter.org.nz/blog/ The latest Blog feeds from www.stpeter.org.nz en-us Tue, 02 Jun 2026 20:39:58 +1200 Rocketspark http://www.stpeter.org.nz/blog/post/165571/views-from-the-pews-christian-hope-and-the-renewal-of-all-things/ Bishop N. T. Wright often says that the Christian story isn’t really about “going to heaven when we die.” And every time I hear that, I think, “Well, that upsets a lot of the hymns I grew up with.” But he’s right. The Bible’s picture is far bigger and far more hopeful. God isn’t planning to scrap the world and start again somewhere else. God intends to renew it — to mend what’s broken and bring heaven and earth back together.The resurrection of Jesus is the heart of that pr... Sun, 31 May 2026 00:00:00 +1200 http://www.stpeter.org.nz/blog/#post165571 http://www.stpeter.org.nz/blog/post/164394/from-the-cathedral-choir-aidan-thomas-phillips/ Aidan Thomas Phillips joined the Cathedral Choir at 14, and still remembers the joy of singing one of his first tenor solos with the choir. He is now based in the UK, rehearsing for four productions with a fifth on the way.For a young singer already on his way, the Cathedral Choir was a place that supported and encouraged him. In his own words, it remains "a place that will always be near and dear to my heart as a spiritual home."Aidan reflects on his time in the choir and the musical journey th... Thu, 28 May 2026 00:00:00 +1200 http://www.stpeter.org.nz/blog/#post164394 http://www.stpeter.org.nz/blog/post/165148/views-from-the-pews-glimpses-of-gods-future/ Sometimes the Kingdom comes quietly.Not with trumpets or trembling skies,but in the small mercies that pass between us —a hand held, a wound forgiven,a word spoken gently when it could have been sharp.It comes in the courage that rises unbidden —when we thought we had none left.In the stubborn hope that refuses to die,even when the night feels long.It comes in the Church gathered —voices weaving together, bread broken,prayers whispered for a world that aches.In these moments, something of ... Sun, 24 May 2026 00:00:00 +1200 http://www.stpeter.org.nz/blog/#post165148 http://www.stpeter.org.nz/blog/post/164607/views-from-the-pews-compare-and-contrast/ Don’t just do something – be there“Compare and contrast” is frequently used exam question:I was struck by what is possibly the worldly view in Bette Midler’s song, that “God is watching us – From A Distance”. As opposed to “…the very hairs of your head are all numbered” Luke 12: 7 and “In him we live and move and have our being.” Acts 17.28 God is by no means remote or absent from even the smallest stresses of our everyday lives. Many of us are perpetually harried “do... Sun, 17 May 2026 00:00:00 +1200 http://www.stpeter.org.nz/blog/#post164607 http://www.stpeter.org.nz/blog/post/164468/views-from-the-pews-reflections-on-the-great-divorce/ About fifty years ago, when I was back living in the UK and my faith was rather wobbly, two of C. S. Lewis’s books helped set me back on the Christian path. Surprised by Joy tells the story of his journey from atheism to belief; the other was The Great Divorce, a short fan-tasy novel written as a kind of reply to William Blake’s The Marriage of Heaven and Hell.At its heart, The Great Divorce is about the choices we make between self-will and surren-der to God. Lewis imagines a world in which... Sun, 10 May 2026 00:00:00 +1200 http://www.stpeter.org.nz/blog/#post164468 http://www.stpeter.org.nz/blog/post/163183/the-man-behind-the-model/ Have you admired the LEGO model of the strengthening works for the Waikato Cathedral Church of St Peter?It was built by Darren Bryan, a teacher and LEGO enthusiast who is the Dean of Year 6 at Southwell School. We caught up with Darren to chat about the build.... Tue, 07 Apr 2026 14:36:09 +1200 http://www.stpeter.org.nz/blog/#post163183 http://www.stpeter.org.nz/blog/post/162920/views-from-the-pews--fundraising-appeal/ By now, many of you will be aware that we need to raise funds to earthquake strengthen and to improve the functionality of our beautiful and precious Cathedral.This will be a significant appeal, totalling $22 million, and it will take place over several years. The first step is to raise $5 million to support the first stage of the planned work, the Music Centre.The Music Centre will be built against the west wall of the Cathedral. At the same time, work will strengthen the west side of the build... Fri, 27 Mar 2026 00:00:00 +1300 http://www.stpeter.org.nz/blog/#post162920 http://www.stpeter.org.nz/blog/post/164030/views-from-the-pews--winds-of-change/ In response to a plea for volunteers, we have a short piece to start off with, which contains just the right set of metaphors for the season.Lent is much more than going without – self-discipline is but a tool to enable reflection, to enable a standing back to get a better view. This is hard to do in the middle of the Gala, but it an essential component of Christian life. It is hard to do during a 24 hour news cycle with its tempting buffet of attention-grabbing stuff. But do it we must, becau... Sun, 22 Mar 2026 00:00:00 +1300 http://www.stpeter.org.nz/blog/#post164030 http://www.stpeter.org.nz/blog/post/164031/views-from-the-pews--living-water/ If you climb to the top of the Cathedral tower you will be able to see the mighty Waikato River, bringer of abundant hydro-electric power, source of drinking water, a once and future highway, sacred to the Iwi of its banks, and symbol of this city. ... Sun, 15 Mar 2026 00:00:00 +1300 http://www.stpeter.org.nz/blog/#post164031 http://www.stpeter.org.nz/blog/post/164032/views-from-the-pews--the-repair-shop/ In a crowded reality TV market, what makes this show so popular? Suggestions made on asking around include:The pleasure the experts display in doing something to make someone else happy. The apparent fact that no money changes hands between experts and the articles’ owners. The value of skill for skill’s sake. The importance of objects in the right context; objects whose value remains wholly subjective. Market prices are never mentioned; odd in this current world. Objects become icons – fo... Sun, 08 Mar 2026 00:00:00 +1300 http://www.stpeter.org.nz/blog/#post164032